Is Biodegradable Glitter ✨ Actually Biodegradable?

(Or is it just sparkly greenwashing?)

Let’s get one thing straight: glitter shouldn’t last longer than your will to keep dancing. If it sticks around longer than your ex’s hoodie (the one you pretended to return), you've got a problem. A microplastic problem.

And while “biodegradable glitter” sounds like the eco-fairy godmother of all things glitter, not all that glitters is gold — or even breaks down. Gitterazzi here to spill the shimmer on what real biodegradable glitter means, how it works, and what you should watch out for.

What Is Glitter Made From?

Most glitter (yes, even “cosmetic” glitter) is made from plastic — a mix of aluminium and PET, aka microplastic in drag. And no, we’re not being dramatic when we say that stuff never dies. It breaks into smaller pieces, ends up in waterways, enters food chains for animals and humans, and yes, has even been found in human lungs, blood, placentas and even our brain.

University of Melbourne research shows that glitter makes up up to 24% of microplastics found in Australian sewage sludge — making it one of the most prominent contributors to this form of pollution.

So what?
Glitter isn’t just party dust — it’s pollution in disguise. Every rinse-off contributes to a system already choking on microplastics. Cute on your cheekbones? Yes. Good for our health or our kids? Not so much.

What Makes Biodegradable Glitter Different?

At Glitterazzi, we use only certified Bioglitter™ — made from eucalyptus cellulose, not plastic. That means it:

• Is derived from plants 🌱

• Breaks down in natural freshwater environments

• Is independently certified by TÜV Austria as ‘OK biodegradable WATER’

Flinders University research confirms microplastics are building up in South Australian waterways — particularly in the Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, where tidal movements mean they don’t easily flush out. The study highlights that synthetic fibres and plastic fragments — like those found in traditional glitter — are accumulating rapidly in sediments and marine life.

So the less we add, the better.

What does that mean for me?
Bioglitter™ isn’t a cute label. It is the only glitter Glitterazzi Glitter uses because it is proven to breakdown into harmless substances in natural environments in weeks. Choosing certified biodegradable glitter means you can shimmer without the shadow of polluting our world.

Can You Trust All Brands That Say “Biodegradable”?

Short answer? Nope.

The term “biodegradable” isn’t regulated in Australia or New Zealand. That means any brand can use it — even if their glitter only contains some natural fibres mixed with plastic. Often, it just means that one ingredient used to make the glitter was biodegradable before being fused with synthetics or coatings that stop it from breaking down naturally.

And it's not just Australia. Here's how the global sparkle-scape shapes up:

🇦🇺 Australia – ❌ Unregulated. “Biodegradable” can be used without independent verification.

🇳🇿 New Zealand – ❌ Unregulated. No legal definition applies to glitter products. Consumers must rely on brand honesty.

🇪🇺 European Union – ✅ Strict. Since October 2023, plastic glitter has been banned unless it meets independently certified biodegradability standards. (EU Regulation 2023/2055)

🇺🇸 United States – ⚠️ Patchy. Microbeads are banned in some states, but glitter regulations remain murky.

🌏 Rest of World – ❓ Mostly unregulated. Labelling varies widely and often lacks enforcement.

So what?
If a brand won’t tell you exactly what their glitter is made of — or won’t show you third-party certification — that’s a red flag (not a sparkly one). Transparency matters. At Glitterazzi, we go beyond local standards and meet the toughest global ones. You can explore our glitter biodegradability credentials here.

So what?
If a brand won’t tell you what’s in their glitter or show certification, it’s a red flag. You deserve transparency. Glitterazzi is proud to be ahead of Australian standards, aligned with the strictest global benchmarks. You can read all about our glitter biodegradability credentials here.

The Glitterazzi Promise: Sparkle Without Compromise

We built this brand because we were so done with choosing between joy and responsibility. Glitter shouldn't come with guilt, and sustainability shouldn't come at the cost of fun. So we set out to do things differently.

At Glitterazzi we believe in:

✨ Biodegradable glitter made from plants, not plastic — safe for skin, kids, and our oceans

💚 Certified eco standards — no greenwashing, just independently tested truth

👩🎤 Joyful expression for everyone — every age, face, gender, and movement

Glitter is about celebration. It’s about play, protest, performance, and pride. But what you wash off your face tonight could end up in a fish’s gut tomorrow — or worse, still lingering in a landfill long after the party ends.

That’s why Glitterazzi exists: to bring you fierce, fabulous, planet-kind sparkle — so you can glow hard and tread light.

🌱 Ready to Sparkle Responsibly?

Shop Glitterazzi Biodegradable Glitter — made from plants, not plastic.
Browse our planet-friendly glitters here →